Kagawad held:PNP forms special body to probe Pangasinan killings

By Christian Supnad

CAMP FLORENDO, San Fernando City, La Union – A special police task force was formed here Wednesday to investigate killings in the province particularly a shooting incident that led to the death of the village chief of Barangay Mestizo, San Carlos City, Pangasinan last Oct. 20 even as a barangay kagawad was held for questioning.

Chief Supt. Franklin Bucayu, Region 1 police director, bared this adding victim Abraham dela Cruz, a resident and acting barangay captain of said place, was on his way home when unidentified persons riding in tandem aboard a motorcycle shot him near his house at about 10 a.m.

The suspects escaped after the incident, passing the barangays of San Juan, Baldog, Talang and Aponit, all in San Carlos City.

A hot pursuit operation was conducted following information that a certain Ramon Yanes, a barangay kagawad of Barangay Balaoac of said city, was one of the assailants.

When approached by police officers to be invited for questioning, Yanes was found in possession of a Cal. 45 pistol.

Failing to present any document to legally possess said firearm, Yanes was put under arrest, said Senior Supt. RosuetoRicaforte, Pangasinan police director.

Also confiscated from Yanes along with the pistol were seven bullets, two magazines with seven bullets, nine live ammunition for M14 rifle, a camouflage pouch and a camouflage jacket.

Yanes, who denied participation in the killing, was subjected to paraffin testing and the confiscated firearm was also subjected to ballistics examination and cross-matching.

He will be included in a police line-up for possible identification by witnesses.

Records showed Yanes had been the subject of several operations and investigation for his alleged involvement in gun-for-hire activities.

A case for violation of Republic Act 8294 is being readied against Yanes for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.